Should You Insure Your Service Dog?

Dogs are faithful companions that enrich our lives and even provide health benefits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that participating in activities with your pets can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and help cope with loneliness.

Service dogs have the same wonderful qualities as other dogs but are also trained to carry out specific duties for those with disabilities. If you have a service dog, it’s essential to keep your comrade in good health. However, veterinary care can be expensive.

Pet insurance for a service dog can help manage your costs and protect your financial well-being. Here’s how to decide if it’s right for you.

Why Insure Your Service Dog?

Service dogs must meet strict breeding standards and receive specific training to carry out their duties. For example, guide dogs help the visually impaired get around, while hearing dogs alert those who are deaf or hard of hearing to important sounds.

Not surprisingly, their specialized skills and assistance come with a high price tag. Already-trained service dogs can cost up to $30,000 to purchase, according to the National Service Animal Registry. And the costs don’t stop there. Service dogs require ongoing veterinary care, including routine shots, examinations, and preventive medicines. U.S. Service Animals estimates annual costs for veterinary services at around $500.

Of course, veterinary costs can escalate significantly if your service dog suffers an injury or illness. For example, if your dog suffers a knee injury, cranial cruciate ligament surgery can cost up to $8,000 for veterinary treatment. Similarly, wound treatments can cost between $800 and $2,500, while emergency surgery costs typically range from $1,500 to $5,000.

Given the costly nature of veterinary care, insuring your service dog could help protect your finances from taking a hit due to a health issue or another emergency. Unfortunately, most health insurance policies don’t cover the costs of purchasing, training, and maintaining a service dog, even when they are necessary due to a disability. However, a pet insurance policy may help offset some of these costs.

How to Insure Your Service Dog

If you have health insurance, check with your provider to find out if they cover any service dog veterinary costs. Otherwise, consider covering your service dog with pet insurance.

Pet insurance is similar to human health insurance but is primarily used for dogs, cats, and other eligible animals. You pay a monthly premium, and your service dog can receive coverage for eligible medical care.

Generally, you must pay for veterinary services out of pocket, and your pet insurance provider reimburses you a specific amount, usually between 70% and 90% of the bill.

Pet insurers usually offer three types of pet insurance coverage:

• Accident-only: This basic plan covers treatments for injuries such as broken bones and snake bites.
• Accident and illness: A more comprehensive policy, this type covers injury-related costs and illnesses, such as ear infections and diseases including cancer.
• Wellness and preventative care: Usually offered as an optional add-on, wellness plans help pay for routine checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other services that help maintain the health of your pet.

Pet insurance typically isn’t offered exclusively for service dogs. Instead, you’ll need standard pet insurance for coverage. Here’s how to buy pet insurance for your dog:

1. Consider your dog’s specific needs: Evaluate your dog’s age, breed, hereditary issues, and potential annual costs for veterinary care.
2. Choose what type of policy you need: Decide if you want a basic accident-only plan or a more comprehensive accident and illness policy and if you want the perks of a preventative care plan.
3. Compare multiple pet insurers: Shop and compare different pet insurance companies to find the best balance of price and coverage. Typically, pet insurers allow you to get quotes on their websites or via their apps.
4. Make sure you understand what each policy covers: Review the deductibles, maximum reimbursement amounts, and coverage limits for each policy. You can adjust these amounts to customize your policy and reduce your monthly premiums.
5. Check for available discounts: You may qualify for military or bundling discounts. Many pet insurers offer discounts for insuring more than one pet.
6. Be aware of exclusions: Before applying for a policy, clarify what coverage your dog will receive and if any exclusions will limit your coverage. Exclusions are conditions your policy won’t cover, which could include alternative medicines, breeding, and cosmetic procedures. One common exclusion is pre-existing conditions, which means your service dog won’t be covered for any health issues they had before your policy started.
7. Choose your provider and policy: After reviewing several policies and reviewing a provider’s reviews and ratings, choose the policy that provides the most benefits at the best price.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Service Dog?

Since most pet insurance providers don’t offer policies specifically for service dogs, the cost to insure them is essentially the same as with other dogs. Annual pet insurance costs for dogs average $768, according to a MarketWatch analysis of quotes from 14 national pet insurance companies. Keep in mind, though, that insurance premiums can vary depending on your dog’s breed, age, location, and policy terms.

Some breeds are more expensive than others, especially if they are more likely to develop certain hereditary conditions. For example, larger dogs are more susceptible to hip dysplasia and other serious health problems. Since these conditions can be expensive to treat, premiums may be higher for dogs known to inherit them. For reference, standard service dog breeds such as Labradors, golden retrievers, and German shepherds cost around $60 monthly to insure, according to a LendEdu analysis of Spot Pet Insurance data for different breeds.

Unfortunately, pet insurance generally doesn’t cover the costs of buying or maintaining a service dog. However, you may be able to take advantage of other options, such as:

• Benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers veterinary health benefits for eligible veterans with dogs who’ve received certified training from Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation. Eligible veterans may also be able to receive assistance to adopt, train, and maintain a service dog through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
• Employer-offered flexible spending accounts (FSAs): FSAs are employer-sponsored accounts that can help lower health care costs for you and your dependents. If your employer offers these accounts and your disability is documented, you may be able to pay for medical costs, like service dog expenses, with pretax money.
• Payment plans: Some veterinary clinics allow you to submit a down payment and make monthly payments to pay your vet bill over time. Ask your vet if they provide this option.

The Bottom Line

Pet insurance could help you avoid using a personal loan or credit card with potentially high interest charges to cover a substantial vet bill. If you plan on using credit to pay for your service dog’s health care, remember that maintaining a good credit score can help you receive favorable terms. Consider Experian’s free credit monitoring to help you get access to your credit report, keep track of your credit score, and receive alerts about new inquiries and accounts.

At O1ne Mortgage, we understand the importance of financial security and peace of mind. If you have any mortgage service needs, don’t hesitate to call us at 213-732-3074. We’re here to help you navigate your financial journey with confidence.